First Storm Of 2008 Hurricane Season Forms

The first storm of the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season has formed near the coast of Belize.

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Arthur formed Saturday afternoon and is already moving inland.

The Mexican government has issued a tropical storm warning from Catoche south to the border with Belize, and tropical storm conditions are expected within six to 12 hours.

At 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT) the storm's center is located about 45 miles north-northwest of Belize City. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 miles per hour.

The storm is expected to weaken Saturday as it moves over land.